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A children's charity is on the lookout for big-hearted Croydon residents who would be willing to give up a spare room for a vulnerable young person leaving care.

People living in the borough with a bedroom going spare are being urged by Barnado's to consider taking in a care-leaver in a bid to help them make the transition to living independently in south London.

Called the London Supported Lodgings Service, the new scheme will see teenagers placed in short-term accommodation with local families after they leave foster care and before they search for homes of their own.

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The charity has said it will support hosts with training and advice, as well as offering them weekly payments in exchange for their help.

The office for this new service, which launches on January 3, will be based in Coxwell Road, in Crystal Palace - meaning it will be easily accessible for Croydon residents.

But those living in the neighbouring boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth are also being sought as hosts - as well as people from Redbridge in east London.

Could you take a young person leaving care into your home? (Image: Barnados)

Explaining the importance of the scheme, Rajinder Nagra, children’s service manager at Barnado's, said:“We urgently need to identify people who live in Croydon, have a spare room at home and would like to make a real difference in the life of a young person.

“Our supported lodgings hosts receive weekly payments and ongoing training so they’re well equipped to give advice and emotional support to these highly vulnerable young people, who will eventually find safe housing of their own and begin living independently.

“This kind of short-term support can transform the lives of young people, enabling them to look forward to a brighter future.”